Event 8 in the Midweek Club's popular criterium series saw none of the favoured riders finishing in top positions. Although the handicap format usually allows the scratch group to catch the rest of the field in eight-to-ten laps, on this overcast evening, a concerted effort by the handicap bunch, combined with a lethargic start on the part of the 1/2 peleton, saw the elite riders caught by lap five. This put them one lap down and, although there were several attempts by series leader Heath Cockburn (Jet Fuel) to break away, none were successful, as riders were attacking each other, rather than working together.

In the closing laps, Jet Fuel's Matt Hansen escaped the combined group and managed to stay about 12 seconds off the front but was still almost a full lap down on the handicap riders who were given the bell to finish, one lap ahead of the rest. At the head of the pack sprint Ben Ayson (Mississauga) took the chequered flag for his first win with Jet Fuel's Steve Lessey nipping Woodstack's speedy vet., Chris Hooper for second place and the rest of the bunch finishing in the same time.

Although the 1/2's were a lap down and only scored 2 points apiece for compleing the distance, the top nine series placings stayed unchanged with Steve Lessey's commendable effort elevating him to tenth overall.

Thanks to Brian Taborek and to PEPSI COLA for providing ALLSPORT 'carbo' drink packets as draw prizes. We're also grateful to those unknown helpers who stacked the cones in easy-to-load piles. Next week's race will start at 7.10 and will be 60 kilometers. In addition, the handicap group will only receive a two minute advantage on the elite bunch.

Midweek Club 55 KM HANDICAP CRITERIUMSpeed 37.7kph

Pos.

NAME

CLUB

CAT

TIME

PTS

1

Ben Ayson

Mississauga B.C.

3

1-24-02

12

2

Steve Lessey

Jet Fuel

2

s.t.

11

3

Chris Hooper

Woodstock C.C.

VA

s.t.

10

4

Paul Fellner

Mississauga B.C.

3

s.t.

9

5

Jean Paul Tesolin

Re-My Sports

3

s.t.

8

6

Alex Estavez

Racer Sportif

JUN

s.t.

7

7

Vince Flannia

Independent

3

s.t.

6

This event run as a handicap race with all 1/2 categories starting 2.5 minutes behind the rest of the field and free laps given until 20th lap.

Belated Birthday

National Road Team member Sophie St Jacques celebrated a birthday on June 7th (the same day as the U.S. World Cup).